We are bicycle commuters in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana. This is our effort to raise awareness of bicycle commuters, encourage more people to get on their bikes, and identify issues pertaining to those of us who use a bicycle for transportation.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Saw this in Bicycling magazine a couple months back. It was rated the third best bike commuter behind the Breezer and something else. I got to see one in Ann Arbor a few weeks back at the REI and they are pretty sweet.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

OK Here is what I know is happening on Sunday June 7th. I am waiting to communicate with the Bike Depot to see what is going on over there with the Real Geeks Ride Guys, Joe and Carlos. The Aboite New Trails Folks are having an event from 2-4 on that day as well and I was thinking that it might be nice after the thing at the Bike Depot, to head out to Aboite, on our bikes of course, to check out their event.Here is the flyer and stay tuned for a final agenda of the Real Geeks Ride in Fort Wayne.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Ah, the helmet argument. My wife won this one for me a ling time ago and I am fine with that. After reading this it helped solidify that she made the right decision for us!

Helmet Or No?

E.D. Kain revisits the bicyclist's dilemma:Personally, I’m a helmet guy. However ineffective helmets may be, I still appreciate the contents of my skull enough to do whatever I can to protect them, including donning the rather clumsy foam and plastic encasement even at the risk of forsaking the “sublime.” Then, too, I’m a parent and one who doesn’t subscribe to the “do as I say, not as I do” approach to parenting. When it all comes down, I’d prefer to see my daughter wear a helmet when she’s of a biking The rest of the story

Started kind of poorly.I went to hop on the old Breezer and I had a trim nail stuck through the rear tire.No problem. I ran inside to see if I could borrow my wife's Townie. She said to me, "You can't ride that...It's Pink!"Here is proof I did.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.—Bicycle Indiana is preparing for Bike-to-Work Day on May 15 by organizing routes and meeting places across the state that allow cyclists to link up and safely commute to work. Bicycle Indiana will help promote more than 40 different bicycle-related rides, races and events throughout Indiana during the week of May 11-17—a week proclaimed by Governor Mitch Daniels as Indiana Bike Week. Employers in many cities can field teams to participate in the bike-to-work corporate challenge—a friendly competition designed to reward company teams for riding the most total miles.

“Bike-to-Work Day is a nationally celebrated event promoting cycling as an alternative mode of transportation,” said Nancy Tibbett, Executive Director of Bicycle Indiana. “Our mission is to create a bicycle-friendly Indiana, and Bike-to-Work Day is a perfect way to support healthy, green and cost-effective commuting.”

Last year’s Bike-to-Work Day was a huge success, with more than 1,000 participants across the state. Two Indiana cities will host Bike-to-Work Days on dates other than May 15—the event will be on June 5 in South Bend and on May 8 in Fishers.

Children can join the fun, too. As part of Indiana Bike Month, Bicycle Indiana is sponsoring a BikeSmart Poster Contest, designed for students in grades K-12. Contest winners will receive gift certificates, helmets and bicycle safety materials. The entry deadline is June 1, and entry forms are available at www.bicycleindiana.org or at your local bicycle retailer. Bicycle retailers and other tourism centers will be distributing the free Bicycle Indiana Resource Guide that highlights more than 200 bicycle-related rides, races, events and resources throughout the state.

Founded in 1993, Bicycle Indiana (formerly Indiana Bicycle Coalition) is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a bicycle-friendly Indiana through promotion, education and advocacy. Bicycle Indiana represents the interests and concerns of all bicycle users. Visit www.bicycleindiana.org for more information about bicycling in Indiana.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Courteous Mass anyone?Now for another thought. AWB has something of a point here.I've already said my thing about bending rules for Critical Mass, maybe now we need to think more about a Courteous Mass.We're not too terribly oppressed in this town, really. It's not been since Muncie that I've been shot in the face with a BB gun anyway*, much less had anything thrown at me while riding. Hell, in New Castle the SUV drivers are biting people's ears off.I'm pretty sure I can ride around this town with little fear of being eaten.And we do have the bike task force thing going for us. As long as they don't come up with some crazy helmet ordinance or some such I see this as being a really positive thing.More

I have to say I am very happy that the City has decided to do this in 2009. This is the first year that I have lived here that anything was done. So thanks to Mayor Henry. I know that this is old news but like I said the other day I have been totally slacking. Hope to see you all for free coffee and bagels!

CITY ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN BIKE TO WORK DAY MAY 15

Breakfast for bicyclists on the north plaza of the City-County Building Fort Wayne, Ind. –

Mayor Tom Henry invites people to become bike commuters for a day as part of national Bike to Work Day May 15. “The City of Fort Wayne is working to make Fort Wayne more bicycle friendly so I would love to see people forgo their cars for a day and take two wheels to get to work May 15,” Mayor Henry said. “And maybe one day of bicycling to work will become a habit, a habit that advances physical fitness, reduces traffic congestion and improves local air quality.”

The American League of Bicyclists recognizes May as National Bike Month, with a special emphasis on the week of May 11 to 15 as Bike to Work Week and that Friday being Bike to Work Day. The first 100 bike commuters can stop by the north plaza of the City-County Building from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. for a free bagel, courtesy of The Bagel Station, and coffee courtesy of Starbucks.

Three local bike shops – Summit City Bikes, Bikes and Boards, and Fort Wayne Outfitters & Bike Depot – are offering discounts on bike service in preparation for Bike to Work Day. Customers must ask for the “Bike to Work Day” discount; contact the shop for details.

Drivers should also be aware of a potential increase in cyclists on the road during the morning and afternoon commute. “If the weather is good, I would expect we could have hundreds of additional bicyclists on the streets going to and from work. I ask drivers to be responsive to an increased presence of bicycles that day and every time they drive,” Mayor Henry said. “We cannot forget that motorists and bicyclists share the road every day.”

Mayor Henry has some recommendations on how to make bike commuting more convenient.

Look at a street map to see if there is an alternate route to work that uses less busy streets.· Consider using the Rivergreenway or other trails for transportation.

“Rack & Roll” with Citilink that day. All Citilink buses have bike racks on the front, making it possible to use public transit and a bike for the same trip. For more information about bus bike racks, visit http://www.fwcitilink.com/bike_load.htm.

Consider bringing a change of clothes to work. Some employers may want to consider relaxing the dress code for bike commuters that day.

Bike with co-workers or neighbors by organizing a predetermined starting point and time.

May is National Bike Month and Friday, May 15, has been designated as National Bike to Work Day. Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) is joining other businesses across the city, state, and country in urging its students, faculty, and staff to ride their bikes to work that day.Bike commuters to the campus will have free access to the shower facilities at Gates Sports Center that day, as well as light refreshments from 7 to 9 a.m. At noon, David Coar of Summit City Bikes will present a lecture on bike safety, basic bike repair, important tips for bicycle commuting, and more. The lecture will be held in Walb Student Union, Rooms 114-116, from noon to 1 p.m. It is free and open to the public.Three local bike shops are offering discounts on service in preparation for Bike to Work Day. Customers must ask for the “Bike to Work Day” discount. Contact the following shops for further details:· Summit City Bicycles and Fitness at 3801 Lima Road · Bikes and Boards at 6648 St. Joe Road and at 5719 CoventryLane · Fort Wayne Outfitters and Bike Depot at 1004 Cass Street

Is it just me or does Denmark have the cutest cops? In the video below we see two members of the Politi stopping cyclists and giving them free helmets and hugs to show they care about their safety. The video has no sourcing, but we can only assume it is a public information ad meant to pull on the heart strings of Copenhagen's notoriously bad bikers.

No one wears bike helmets. They're afraid they'll mess up their hair. "I have a big head and I would look silly," Mayor Klaus Bondam says. People bike while pregnant, carrying two cups of coffee, smoking, eating bananas. At the airport, there are parking spaces for bikes. In the emergency room at Frederiksberg Hospital on weekends, half the biking accidents are from people riding drunk. Doctors say the drunk riders tend to run into poles.

Hi all.I have been a bit distant of late and for that I am sorry.I have had a lot on my plate of late.I don't know if you all are aware but there are two guys, Joe and Carlos, riding across the country starting on May 20th to attempt to get 1000 people to commit to ride their bikes to work. They will be in Fort Wayne on June 6th and 7th. I have been in contact with them to ask about what they want to do. They want to get their message out and they are looking for help. I talked to the owner of Fort Wayne Outfitters . Tim Hall graciously offered to help. We have it set for Sunday afternoon (June 7th) , so mark your calendars and I will give an update as soon as I have one. We are thinking a kind of reception where everyone can come down and meet the "Geeks" and maybe have a little something or other. Thanks again Tim for agreeing to help out. FW Outfitters has such a great location, right on the Rivergreenway, right on the River, it should be great.I have been asking people what else we should do but I haven't asked all of you so gimme some input. I did contact the Tin Caps and asked if they could help us out with something since the Tin Caps are in town that weekend. I will let you know.Anyway, if you all have anything to add or questions to ask let me know. I am not much of an event planner but I figure will all of the activity with regard to Bike Commuting that is going on this will just add to the fun!Ride On.